Course Description

Do you need to brush-up your knowledge of the American political system? Have you forgotten or feel slightly 'hazy' about the structure of the American government, the details of the Constitution or the exact division of the three branches of government? Are you interested in discovering how our current political parties were formed or the impact of public opinion, mass media and special interests groups on today's American policies? If you answered "yes" to these questions, this online course can be your ideal learning resource.

Rather than focusing on the history of the American federal government, this course is a comprehensive evaluation of how the government is set up and how it works. We will start with a look at how the American government is organized, and then we will focus on American culture and how it forms the environment in which the government functions, and the influences that the citizenry exerts on the policy-making process. Public opinion plays an important role in any republic so we will examine how public opinion is measured and how it contributes to the democratic process.

The citizens of United States enjoy many freedoms and liberties, but, as in all republics, they also live according to a Constitution and an established set of laws. We will examine the balance between freedom and law, and discuss the development of civil liberties. The political participation of Americans, both as individuals and as a part of interest groups influences nearly all functions of the government. We will also take a look at the media's increasingly important role in politics, and how the political parties of the United States work together to create legislation.

The social welfare and safety of Americans is a significant part of the priorities of the federal government. This course will outline the development of important programs that have served as model to other governments throughout the world. In the process, we will also evaluate how public policy is made from several important perspectives: economic, foreign relations, and environmental.

Written with the belief that understanding the foundations of the America system of government is necessary to fully comprehend America's current political system, this self-paced course is appropriate for learners of any age (homeschoolers, high schoolers, college students or just inquisitive people). Our easy-to-understand online format is perfect for those seeking review, extra tutoring, test prep or general educational enhancement.

Learn How the American Government Works

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson

"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent." -- Abraham Lincoln

"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." --Theodore Roosevelt

"It's time we asked ourselves if we still know the freedoms intended for us by the Founding Fathers. James Madison said, 'We base all our experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.' This idea that government was beholden to the people, that it had no other source of power, is still the newest, most unique idea in all the long history of man's relation to man. This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government, or whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves." -- Ronald Reagan (October 27, 1964).

"Today we can declare: Government is not the problem, and government is not the solution. We, the American people, we are the solution." -- Bill Clinton

Completely Online

Self-Paced

Instructor Feedback

6 Months to Complete

24/7 Availability

Start Anytime

PC & Mac Compatible

Android & iOS Friendly

Accredited CEUs

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Know the major points of the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution.

Identify and describe the role and responsibilities of the Legislative Branch, the Judiciary Branch, and the Executive Branch.

Know the power of public opinion and the affects of mass media on politics.

Identify and describe the major political parties and interest groups, and

Lesson 6. American Political Culture

The November 2008, presidential elections in the United States offered the clearest demonstration of the current American political culture. 34 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video

Review 3 Articles: Political Culture of the US; Separation of Church and State; Why Morality Matters

Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7. Public Opinion

There are several types of democracies and while the U.S. certainly incorporates many democratic ideas into its government, our nation is best described as a republic. 60 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video

Review 3 Articles: Different Systems of Democracy; Types of Government; Example of Public Opinion and the Presidency

Complete Assignment: Public Opinion and the Presidency

Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8. Elections and Campaigns

Public opinion polls may influence policy and steer our elected officials on a desired path of results, but the single most important element of the democratic process is the campaign and election process. 34 Total Points

Lesson 9. Interest Groups

An interest group is a collection of people who share similar beliefs and endeavor to educate the general public about an issue. 35 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video

Review 2 Articles: Interest Groups; Types of Interest Groups

Take Poll: Interest Groups

Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10. Civil Liberties

The freedoms extended to individuals, which are commonly referred to as civil liberties or civil rights, have changed and evolved throughout our history, and they continue to change on an almost daily basis. 60 Total Points

Lesson 13. The Media

The media, which is today comprised of television, radio, newspapers, the Internet, and countless other sources of information, has played a vital role in American government since the country's founding. 35 Total Points

Lesson 14. Social Welfare

There are a variety of social welfare programs in the United States today, economic programs, health-related services, housing development programs, and many others. 35 Total Points

Lesson 14 Video

Review 3 Articles: Medicare; Social Security; Social Welfare

Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15. The Policy Making Process

In this lesson, we will examine the full process of policy making, from a law's origination to the required presidential signature. 35 Total Points

Lesson 15 Video

Review 3 Articles: Bills and Congress; Current Legislation; How a Bill Becomes Law

Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16. U.S. Economic Policy

The economic policies of the United States are driven and influenced by a wide variety of factors: laws, the Constitution, lobbyists, the global economic climate, and, ultimately, the will of the people. 33 Total Points

Lesson 16 Video

Review 3 Articles: Discretionary Spending; Federal Budget; US Budget

Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17. U.S. Foreign Policy

The all-encompassing goal of U.S. Foreign Policy is to ensure the safety of American citizens and the international community. 35 Total Points

Lesson 17 Video

Review 2 Articles: Foreign Policy; US Non-Interventionism

Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 17 Exam

Lesson 18. U.S. Environmental Policy

In addition to enacting laws that protect Americans' safety, environmental policy must be future-focused to assure that future generations will benefit from today's decisions. 95 Total Points

Lesson 18 Video

Review 2 Articles: Global Warming Policies; NEPA

Take Poll: What is your opinion of this course?

Take Survey: Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)

Complete: Lesson 18 Assignment

Complete: Lesson 18 Exam

Complete: The Final Exam

966

Total Course Points

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements

Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs

Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF

Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title:
American Government

Course Number:
7550446

Languages:
English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Student Testimonials

"This was fantastic! Very user friendly and informative. Just fantastic thanks! Terrific job, I look forward to taking more classes!" -- Madison T.

"Course is great!" -- Marcus M.

"There was a good mixture of historical background and how things work in the present day. This gave me an understanding of the basis of government without being confused as to how it translated into modern-day. " -- Rebekah H.